ORIGINAL: Johnny Pneumonia Totally right. Besides, this is clearly never going to happen without the original cast, which wont happen without Jackson, Weta etc. As Bob said, its just the suits playing hardball.

Seems the ball is 100% in MGM's court. PJ won't make the movie without the lawsuit settled. New Line don't have time to settle the lawsuit before The Hobbit needs to go into production before they lose the rights to it the Tolkein properties. If MGM want to do it now, it happens without PJ. If MGM stall it for a year or so, it happens without New Line. Either way, a stupid dispute over accounting has killed this project for someone.

The loss of Jackson is not big especially when you consider he would probably turn all the dwarfs into comic relief buffonery. One Jackson Gimli was more than enough.However making two films out of the The Hobbit and scraps of information is indeed stupid.

The world is spared another two boring movies from Empire's most overrated director. With literally zero negative perspective to counter-balance the adoration, Empire's worship of Jackson is tiresome in the extreme, and disappointing, too.

its ridiculus that any1 cud even think of making the hobbit without Jackson. surely with the trilogy doing so wel the 1st thing theyd do wud bring him bak for the hobbit. it was 1 of the most highly anticipated films for me over the next few years but i am now not sure whther 2 look 4ward 2 it at al.

Woo, the best thing today, buiilds up from overrated Bond, why does everyone love that? Oh well, we are saved from another 6-7 hours of torture, maybe Jackson can go off and do something like The Frightners again, you know, something good.

They are nuts doing the Hobbit without the soul of Jackson who gave LOTR the soul and legs to walk on.

We get now the Hobbit as a two parter doen by somebody who doesn't really care with generic CGI. It is this time not about the story but about the bucks. To bad that New Linae has chosen for the bucks instead of the artistic value that a person like Jackson & Co adds. I'll stick to the book instead and get an illigal copy to watch it if ever.

But the extra book was ok when Jackson was onboard, he must of been in favour of it.

_____________________________

I'm your huckleberry...

All the world will be your enemy, Prince of a Thousand enemies. And when they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you; digger, listener, runner, Prince with the swift warning. Be cunning, and full of tricks, and your people will never be destroyed.

Peter Jackson is one of the most versatile and talented directors weve ever had. Period.Whilst i agree that he gave LOTR its legs to walk on, ultimately despite its being Jacksons view of Middle Earth hes always stated that, middle earth itself was never his, it was Tolkiens. So why not let the guy move onto better bigger things. There are plently of other directors out there who can deliver an equally fantastic view of Middle Earth, look at these prospects for director-

New line cinema have taken it too far. You know that now they'll place a spineless hack in charge, who'll make a couple of shite, commercially focussed films.(notice difference between xmen 2 and 3?) Secondly, where is the clear distinct narrative between the hobbit and the lotr? If Tolkien didn't write it, then new line shouldn't 'put it together'. Tolkien has tales for that time, but not a coherent films worth. Any director with any human qualities shouldn't touch this project now.

New Line took a chance and were incredibly visionary in financing the production of the LOTRs films. However, they seem to be following a familiar path of studios who believe their own hype and power and I can only imagine that this will be a decision they learn to regret. I would have loved to see Wingnut make The Hobbit - at the moment I can't imagine anyone else directing it (or want to take over the mantle for that matter - a v. hard act to follow). However, having said that, I remember the furore over Daniel Craig as Bond!

What's going on with Peter Jackson? Didn't King Kong make enough cash for the money men? First Halo dies on it's arse now Mr Jackson has lost the Hobbit too. What exactly is going on behind the scenes? Strange things are afoot at the Circle K.....

The world is spared another two boring movies from Empire's most overrated director. With literally zero negative perspective to counter-balance the adoration, Empire's worship of Jackson is tiresome in the extreme, and disappointing, too.

I for one was getting a bit annoyed by all this legal bla bla that was surrounding the hobbit of late but this is has royally pissed me off.

Jackson and his team brought to life an amazing saga and without him I have huge doubts. The Hobbit from the minute it was announced was always gonna have an issue with living up to expectations. The only one I can see meeting those is PJ. He has been there and done that. He kows the worl and how to bring it to life. For me......Its pj or no one. Im not discrediting other directors but The Hobbit is a very importent book to a lot of people and PJ has prooved that he has the ability to bring the LOTR world to life. Sad day indeed, lets just hope someone gets bitch slapped into sense and relises that pj and his team are the men for the job.

Peter Jackson is one of the most versatile and talented directors weve ever had. Period.Whilst i agree that he gave LOTR its legs to walk on, ultimately despite its being Jacksons view of Middle Earth hes always stated that, middle earth itself was never his, it was Tolkiens. So why not let the guy move onto better bigger things. There are plently of other directors out there who can deliver an equally fantastic view of Middle Earth, look at these prospects for director-

Aldaboss, good to see someone from the old WTME forum still knocking about

I can only echo earlier sentiments, Jackson carries with him him not only the directorial skill, but also a whole host of other factors, namely the production crew, and the support of actors such as McKellan and Serkis. I wouldn't rule out Jackson possibly returning to the frame, but things are looking increasingly bleak. New Line's response will be telling.

Whilst I am gutted for PJ & love the LOTR movies, I'm kind of glad he's no longer doing it! As was mentioned before, who's gonna want to follow in those Kong sized footsteps? I can't help feeling that Rings was a one time thing & don't want The Hobbit to be made. PJ would HAVE to get Ian Holm in it & (no offence Mr Holm) he's getting a bit old to be leaping about. They should leave well enough alone & not make it! Look what happened when a certain MR G Lucas tried to do prequels. (Yes I know PJ is a FAR better director but still) I for one am happy!!!

However I think the admin guys at that site are planning something official too, it was them that sent the petition that got a response from MGM initially, so if anybody's gonna get noticed, it's them.

Look, we all know that an unrivalled trilogy of films that took billions at the box office, was loved by critics and the public alike and garnered dozens of awards including the Oscar for best picture, is no reason to rehire the Geniuses behind it all. No what we really want is a cheap rush job with none of the Talents that made the originals, oh and if you could film it somewhere other than New Zealand for extra insult that would be just peachy, Pricks